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| Pig farmers march on Westminster | Pig farmers march on Westminster |
| (1 day later) | |
| About 200 pig farmers gathered outside Downing Street earlier to protest against falling pork profits. | About 200 pig farmers gathered outside Downing Street earlier to protest against falling pork profits. |
| Farmers' leaders say the industry is in "meltdown", and some warn that so many farmers are quitting that there may be a pork shortage by the end of the year. | Farmers' leaders say the industry is in "meltdown", and some warn that so many farmers are quitting that there may be a pork shortage by the end of the year. |
| Feed prices have doubled over the past year and farmers say they are losing more than £20 on every pig raised. | Feed prices have doubled over the past year and farmers say they are losing more than £20 on every pig raised. |
| Also at the the protest was Winnie, a nine-year-old pig who has attended previous farmers' protests. | Also at the the protest was Winnie, a nine-year-old pig who has attended previous farmers' protests. |
| A petition calling for support for pig farmers was presented to Downing Street prior to a demonstration at Westminster. | A petition calling for support for pig farmers was presented to Downing Street prior to a demonstration at Westminster. |
| As well as the feed price problems, British farmers also abide by stricter welfare regulations than those in other EU countries, making their pigs more expensive to rear. | As well as the feed price problems, British farmers also abide by stricter welfare regulations than those in other EU countries, making their pigs more expensive to rear. |
| If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business Richard LongthorpPig farmer Protest over bacon pricesWinnie the pig's big day out | If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business Richard LongthorpPig farmer Protest over bacon pricesWinnie the pig's big day out |
| And industry experts say that although supermarkets have recently raised their prices significantly, only a fraction of that is finding its way back to the pig farmers. | And industry experts say that although supermarkets have recently raised their prices significantly, only a fraction of that is finding its way back to the pig farmers. |
| The increase in animal feed is a result of rocketing grain prices on world markets. | The increase in animal feed is a result of rocketing grain prices on world markets. |
| David Feakes, of the Norfolk Pig Discussion Group, also said the price of pork had fallen in real terms. | David Feakes, of the Norfolk Pig Discussion Group, also said the price of pork had fallen in real terms. |
| British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston said many farmers would lose their livelihoods without an increase in the price of pork. | British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston said many farmers would lose their livelihoods without an increase in the price of pork. |
| 'Crisis point' | 'Crisis point' |
| "We have reached crisis point. Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year, and many face the prospect of going out of business. | "We have reached crisis point. Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year, and many face the prospect of going out of business. |
| "Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher-welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham. | "Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher-welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham. |
| "Two-thirds of all imported produce would be illegal to produce in the UK as it doesn't meet our higher welfare standards." | "Two-thirds of all imported produce would be illegal to produce in the UK as it doesn't meet our higher welfare standards." |
| We want better labelling at the supermarket level, and for the end user, which is the housewife, to be told the truth Reg Joseph Q&A: Rising world food prices | We want better labelling at the supermarket level, and for the end user, which is the housewife, to be told the truth Reg Joseph Q&A: Rising world food prices |
| A cross party Early Day Motion tabled by British pig industry supporter Richard Bacon MP - Tory MP for South Norfolk - will also call for the government's support for British pig farming. | A cross party Early Day Motion tabled by British pig industry supporter Richard Bacon MP - Tory MP for South Norfolk - will also call for the government's support for British pig farming. |
| Richard Longthorp, a pig farmer from Howden in Yorkshire, said: "We don't want any special treatment. All we are asking for is a fairer share. | Richard Longthorp, a pig farmer from Howden in Yorkshire, said: "We don't want any special treatment. All we are asking for is a fairer share. |
| "Feed represents around 50% of our costs and this has gone up massively. Prices are going up but we're not getting a share of it. | "Feed represents around 50% of our costs and this has gone up massively. Prices are going up but we're not getting a share of it. |
| "If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business." | "If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business." |
| Reg Joseph, who has spent his life in the industry, said he had come to Downing Street from Lincolnshire and others were arriving from Scotland. | Reg Joseph, who has spent his life in the industry, said he had come to Downing Street from Lincolnshire and others were arriving from Scotland. |
| He told the BBC: "We want better labelling at the supermarket level, and for the end user, which is the housewife, to be told the truth." | He told the BBC: "We want better labelling at the supermarket level, and for the end user, which is the housewife, to be told the truth." |